Embarking on its first tour since the exoneration of frontman Randy Blythe on manslaughter charges in Prague, long-running metal band Lamb of God made a triumphant return Wednesday night with a sold-out performance at City National Grove of Anaheim.

While most talk surrounding the group the past few years has centered on the highly publicized trial that found one of rock's most verbose vocalists facing a Czech judge and jury – he was charged after pushing a 19-year-old fan off the stage, who then hit his head and died from the injury – the quartet from Richmond, Virginia, has since been able to get back to the business of pummeling audiences with its acute audio aggression.

Stealing a small bit of thunder, Polish death metal outfit Decapitated warmed an already rowdy crowd hell-bent on hearing something heavy. Revered among its scene's purists, the band's unique meld of ominous string work (from renowned guitarist WacÃ âaw KieÃ âtyka) and discerning use of requisite blasts of beats make for dynamic music in a genre that can sometimes turn monotonous. Vocalist RafaÃ â Piotrowski frenziedly whipped his dreadlocked mane as the group tore through its most recognizable tracks, including "Day 69" and closing cut "Spheres of Madness".

The headliner emerged onstage with no announcement, no introduction, no pomp and circumstance, just Lamb of God's guitar tandem of Mark Morton and Willie Adler tearing into "Desolation," opening a floodgate of adrenaline. That single from 2011's Resolution is a shining example of Southern swagger enveloped in the kind of technical mastery that has become the group's calling card.

Addressing the elephant in the room, Blythe briefly discussed his legal plight, quickly reminding the crowd that the young man who tragically passed in Prague in 2010 was a fan. "He was one of us," Blythe said. "I am not going to ask you to not go crazy. I'm going to ask you to take care of each other."

That intimate moment soon gave way to the band marching into one of its biggest tracks, "Walk with Me in Hell" – and the head-banging resumed. Pulling choice cuts from their catalog, Lamb of God delivered a staples-only set list, dusting off gems that propelled it to metal stardom: "Ruin," "Omerta" and a tribute to the recently fallen guitarist of Slayer Jeff Hanneman with "11th Hour."

A particularly poignant segment came midway into the evening, prior to the band's performance of their anthem "Now You've Got Something to Die For." Having always publically supported the military, Lamb of God had earlier asked servicemen and women to send in their photos. Thus, the LED screens onstage during the song displayed combat photos and candid shots of active military members.

Blythe introduced the piece with a tribute to those who have served: "Despite what your political inclination is – and mine is far to the left – you have to respect the sacrifice that these men and women make for our country." As the crowd chanted the chorus, photos transitioned to those who have died in combat. Some were smiling shots, others stoic, some were holding their children. All of those displayed were young.

While the call for devil horns in the air ran rampant, Lamb of God's music doesn't document any kind of mythical evil synonymous with most metal. During "The Undertow," the visuals hammered home especially disturbing images from the war on drugs. SWAT team raids juxtaposed with drug-addicted mothers next to their infants reinforced just why this music can be so aggressive yet so cathartic.

Commercially and critically successful, Lamb of God continues to toe a fine line by making music that sells without having to sell out to do so. In a genre latent with discriminating fans, even the most cynical have taken notice of the accolades and respect the band has earned after more than two decades together.

They make heavy music, then articulate just why it needs to be heavy, with sincerity and skill on full display in Anaheim. At last, Lamb of God is back.

Randy Blythe of Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
John Campbell (left) and Randy Blythe of Lamb of God perform at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Rafal Piotrowski of Decapitated performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Rafal Piotrowski of Decapitated performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Decapitated performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Decapitated performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Decapitated performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Decapitated performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Glendale fans pose for a photo before seeing Lamb of God at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Orange County fans pose for a photo before seeing Lamb of God at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Fans pose for a photo before seeing Lamb of God at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Randy Blythe and Mark Morton of Lamb of God perform at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
John Campbell (left) and Mark Morton of Lamb of God perform at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
John Campbell of Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Lamb of God performs at City National Grove of Anaheim Wednesday. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER

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